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Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board Cllr Dilwyn Roberts said: “The Growth Vision document sets out an ambitious plan to stimulate further economic growth in North Wales.

Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, leader of Conwy County Council.

“We have a good track record in attracting investment but recognise that more needs to be done if job creation and income levels are to match UK levels.

“The plan focuses on strategic infrastructure investments that link business to key markets and communities, developing and skilling the workforce to take advantage of opportunities and working with partners cross-border to grow key sectors and support projects with the potential to transform our economy.

“We recognise that the plan is ambitious, but we have identified a number of projects that could support jobs and prosperity.

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“Our economic links with the Manchester and Liverpool City regions, the Northern Powerhouse and the emerging growth plans in the Midlands are capable of being reinforced so that residents and business can benefit from these opportunities.”

Delivery of the vision will be powered by high value economic clusters throughout North Wales.

The energy cluster will have expertise around energy generation, low carbon technologies and processes, with businesses well-equipped to exploit opportunities as a result of investment in Wylfa Newydd, Trawsfynydd Small Modular Reactors and off-shore wind, biomass and tidal energy projects.

The advanced manufacturing cluster in the region will build on a strong network of anchor companies in areas like aerospace, materials and processes, marine and environmental engineering, automotive, electronics and food.

The diverse digital sector will include high performance computing, data analytics, media, and cognitive computation.

The digital cluster will build on the competitive advantages in terms of academia, quality of life and outstanding natural beauty, and a quality infrastructure.

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Under the vision the group wants North Wales to get powers over issues like employment and skills, strategic land use planning, regional transport planning and a business support and trade team.

A portfolio of strategic projects have been identified to support the delivery of the strategy.

Infrastructure investment

These include an infrastructure plan that includes investment in the A55 and other key A routes, backing rail electrification and other network projects, support for key employment sites, support for ultra-fast broadband and better mobile services.

They also want a strategy that increases the uptake of STEM subjects to support energy, advanced manufacturing and the digital sector in North Wales.

Welsh minister Guto Bebb last week told the Wrexham Business Professionals that it was time for North Wales to take more regional control.

Mr Bebb said that while city growth deals were being worked out for Cardiff and Swansea, it was essential to produce a development strategy for North Wales.

Guto Bebb

“Too often people say that the area is forgotten about but in terms of growth deals it’s not about the UK Government saying what it will give them. It’s about Westminster saying, `we want to work with you – what do you want?’

“That’s why both the Secretary of State for Wales and myself genuinely welcome the policy document on regional growth just produced by the six local authorities in North Wales.

“It’s an ambitious plan which is not just a sticking plaster for the next few years but an attempt to respond to the needs of North Wales over the next 15 years.

'We need regional policy'

“We must now see how this fits into the Brexit agenda.

“The responsibility now of the government in London is to work with stakeholders, to work with North Wales to see what can be delivered from the very ambitious plans that have been put forward by the six North Wales counties.

“One thing we do need to have now is a regional policy that addresses all parts of Wales and all parts of the UK.

“Working with the Welsh Government is absolutely essential for our success in North Wales and we have to make sure that we work in full partnership with them.”